AL MVP/Cy Young (03/26/15)

The Major League Baseball season will get started on April 5. The Cardinals and the Cubs will kick things off but before the first pitch we will take a quick look at the contenders the for AL MVP and Cy Young awards.

After living in the shadow of Miguel Cabrera and finishing second in consecutive seasons in the American League MVP voting, Trout finally brought home the hardware in 2014. The reigning MVP will try to improve upon a 36 home run (career high), 111 RBI and 115 run season, which is possible given that the Angels are expected to have the top offense in the majors.

Trout is the heavy favorite to take home the 2015 AL MVP but it's not fun to bet the favorite, especially at even money.

Jose Abreu (4/1)

As a rookie, Abreu was named a 2014 All-Star, he became the first rookie in Major League history to rank among the top five in each AL Triple Crown category. Abreu won the Silver Slugger award, was named Rookie of the Year and he set a White Sox's franchise rookie record with 36 home runs. The first baseman also finished fourth in MVP voting. What can the Cuban slugger accomplish in his second season?

Alex Rodriguez (100/1)

A-Rod is returning to the field after missing all of 2014 due to suspension for his connection with the Biogenesis clinic. Many, even the Yankees, believed the former disgraced star would never play again. But A-Rod is proving the haters wrong. He has hit .290 with two home runs in 31 plate appearances in spring training. General Manager Brian Cashman has acknowledge that Rodriguez is making a strong push to be the Yankees' full-time DH when the season starts.

A-Rod is the longest of longshots, he makes a better story than an MVP candidate.

Player

Odds

Mike Trout

1/1

Jose Abreu

4/1

Miguel Cabrera

7/1

Robinson Cano

7/1

Michael Brantley

16/1

Josh Donaldson

16/1

Jose Bautista

22/1

Adrian Beltre

22/1

Adam Jones

22/1

Victor Martinez

22/1

Jacoby Ellsbury

33/1

David Ortiz

50/1

Alex Rodriguez

100/1

American League Cy Young

Felix Hernandez (13/5)

Many believed King Felix was in line for his second Cy Young award after a phenomenal 2014 that included a stretch from May to early August when the ace set a major league record with 16 straight games of seven or more innings and allowing two earned runs or less. Hernandez has said he is motivated after finishing second in the voting to perform strongly in 2015. The one statistical category that has been lacking for the Mariners' ace in recent years is wins. ­­­­Hernandez did not receive a ton of run support last year but Seattle is expected to have a top five offense in 2015 so the wins should pile up for King Felix.

Corey Kluber (4/1)

The reigning American League Cy Young winner went 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 2014. How much do you believe in Kluber? The Indians front line pitcher turns 29 this season and his breakout campaign came almost out of nowhere. Kluber went from the middle of Cleveland's rotation to one of the best pitchers in the league (led the league in wins, finished second in strikeouts, third in innings pitched and was third in ERA). Can he maintain that level of dominance or is he just a one hit (pitch) wonder?

Dellin Betances (50/1)

Last year Betances went 5-0 with a 1.40 ERA and struck out 135 batters in 90 innings of work as a setup man. Betances plays for the Yankees and is the presumptive closer of the future, replacing future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera and more recently David Robertson. It is because of the pinstripes that Betances is even included on this list. Proven closers (Aroldis Chapman, Craig Kimbrel, Greg Holland) with secure holds on their jobs would be safer bets to finish with better seasons.